Cambodian PM strongly condemns Bangkok bomb blast

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has strongly condemned a Bangkok bomb blast Monday night that killed at least 20 people.

"The Royal Government of Cambodia vehemently condemns this inhuman act which killed innocent people of Thailand and foreigners," he said in a condolence letter sent to his Thai Counterpart Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday and released to the media on Wednesday.

"While severely condemning this crime, on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, allow me to convey to Your Excellency and through Your Excellency to the Government and people of Thailand as well as the bereaved families, my deepest sympathy and profound condolences for such a loss in this horrifying explosion," he added.

A bomb exploded at Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist destination in downtown Bangkok, Monday night, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 others injured, according to the Thai National Police.

Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said Wednesday that the Bangkok bomb blast would affect tourism industry in Cambodia because Thailand is a main gateway of international tourists to the country.

"Generally, there are some spillover effects on our tourism industry because about 40 percent of the international tourists enter Cambodia through Thailand," he told reporters. "We hope that the situation in Bangkok will return to normalcy soon."

According to the minister, after the Bangkok bomb blast, security has been tightened in Cambodia, especially at tourist destinations.